Texas Christian University Alcohol and Drug Task Force Report. Presented To Vice Chancellor Donald B. Mills October 2010

Transcription

1 Texas Christian University Alcohol and Drug Task Force Report Presented To Vice Chancellor Donald B. Mills October 2010

2 Table of Contents Charge from the Vice Chancellor 3 Executive Summary 4 TCU Task Force Committee 6 Overview and Task Force Activities 7 National Overview of Problem 8 TCU Snapshot with Supporting Data 9 Consultant's Summary Report 14 What TCU is Doing Well and Recommendations 17 Appendix 20 National Research and Guidelines (website links) NIAAA College Drinking Report The Network Standards Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Environmental Management Amethyst Initiative Parental Notification Academic Class Schedules and Alcohol TCU Information Spring 2010 Core Alcohol and Drug Survey Results NIAAA 3-in-l Approach at TCU Alcohol & Drug Education Center (ADE) Programs and Services ADE Individual Assessment Satisfaction Surveys ADE Education Group Evaluations Parent Council Discussion Questions Alcohol Violations by Academic Department Enrollment Distribution by Day of Week HR Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy Request to Serve Academic Beverages Approval Form 2

3 VICE CHANCELLOR FOR STUDeNT AffAIRS Charge to Alcohol/Drug Policy Committee Spring 2010 The use and misuse of alcohol/other drugs is a serious problem on college campuses resulting in academic disappointment, physical injury, assaults and in some cases addiction. Yet alcohol is endemic to social functioning in America and can serve an appropriate role on the campus. Determining the appropriate role that alcohol should play on the campus is a difficult balancing act requiring wise policy, broad-based education and judicious discipline. There is no role for any illicit drug use on the campus. Nevertheless the issues of policy, education and discipline must be addressed. The charge, then, to the committee is; I. Review the information avaifable about student alcohol/drug use at TCU and nationally. I!. Make recommendations for a TCU Alcohol policy including circumstances when it is appropriate for students to use alcohol. Recommend the circumstances it would be appropriate to allow alcohol on the campus including athletic events, university departmental, alumni and student functions and make policy recommendations for implementation. III. Make recommendations appropriate for educational programming for students, faculty/staff and student organization advisors. IV. Recommend policy/practice initiatives that may decrease student alcohol/other drug use and encourages responsible and safe use of alcohol and other drugs. V. Recommend appropriate disciplinary action for violation of the university's alcohol/other drug policy. The Committee's recommendations, or at minimum a progress report, should be made to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs by April 30, Report of completed Task Force work and Recommendations should be given to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs October TexasChristion University TCUBox ForrWorth, Texas76129 (817) FAX (817)

4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Vice Chancellor Donald Mills charged a TCU university-wide committee to study TCU's alcohol and drug policies, education, and discipline during the spring 2010 academic term. The misuse of alcohol and other drugs is a serious national problem on college campuses. Although increasing, TCU's Core research data clearly shows TCU student use/misuse to be slightly lower than national averages. While many campuses have recently seen student deaths result from alcohol and drug abuse, TCU fortunately has not. Therefore, this timely study and recommendation to the Vice Chancellors and Chancellor is a proactive, rather than reactive, process. It is always the goal of the university to utilize current best practices and work with students in all health areas to avoid academic disappointment, physical injury, and other negative harmful behavior. The Task Force conducted a comprehensive study which: 1. Reviewed and discussed other university policies and current alcohol and drug use research; 2. Reviewed the publicized SMU Alcohol and Drug Study conducted in the past few years, noting the commonalities shared between TCU and SMU as similarly-sized private universities in the Metroplex area; also met with SMU staff; 3. Brought Dr. Frances Lucas, then Millsap College President and former Vice President Student Affairs at Emory University to campus as an outside consultant; 4. Met with TCU Parents Council to present TCU information and conduct focus groups. To ensure ample representation on the Task Force members included the president of Faculty Senate, Staff Assembly, Student Governrnent Association, and key student organization groups, a member of the TCU Board of Trustees & TCU alumnus and diverse staff and faculty. What is abundantly clear is that alcohol and drug use by students on any college campus is an ongoing challenge as it has been for past decades. There is 110 silver bullet easy answer to this complex issue. The issue is complicated and multifaceted. The Task Force agreed with Dr. Lucas's findings that TCU is conducting outstanding collaborative work with students dealing with this complex issue, and has implemented appropriate and best practices on a regular basis such as the amnesty policy to encourage students to seek help when needed. TCU is - and has been addressing the problem of alcohol and other drug use in a variety of effective ways. This report provides an overview of current TCU programs and protocols and lists recommendations for TCU leadership to consider adopting. TeU recognizes that most students (76%) choose to drink alcohol; therefore, procedures and policies must include alcohol and drug education, reduce risks of student harm, and help students to make healthy and mature decisions 4

5 while providing a supportive environment for the 24% of students who choose not to drink alcohol or use other drugs. It is imperative to expect and promote "student responsibility" individual behavior and choices. for The Task Force focused mostly on alcohol, as it is the substance most frequently overused by TCU students. The Task Force recognized that other drug use, although not as prevalent as alcohol use, must continue to be assessed and addressed by TCU programs and services. If even one TCU student experiences consequences from alcohol and other drugs, it can be a problem for the entire community. Regrettably, both nationally and at TCU, some students will not make healthy decisions regarding alcohol and other drugs-despite well-placed efforts, programs, and services. The Task Force concluded that, after extensive review and consideration of sound research, there will always be conflicting opinions on how to best address this complex issue. 5

6 TCU Alcohol and Drug Task Force 2010 Co-Chairs Susan Adams Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Dean of Campus Life Andrew Schoolmaster Dean of AddRan College of Liberal Arts Professor of Geography Committee Members Craig Allen Director of Residential Services Chris Curtis Marion Donaldson Craig Elders Marlon Figueroa David Gable Sparkle Greenhaw Rhonda Hatcher President, TCU Alumni Association Board of Trustees Admin Assistant, Campus Life Chair of Staff Assembly President, TCU Student Body Associate Director of Sports Medicine Director of Alcohol & Drug Education Associate Professor of Mathematics NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative for the University Dianna McFarland Faculty Senate Chair, Department of Psychology Steve McGee TCU Chief of Police Porter Neessen Panhellenic President Jolm Singleton Director of International Services C. Granger Talley HyperFrogs President John Willis IFC President 6

7 Overview and Task Force Activities The charge to our team early in 2010 was to review information about alcohol and drug use; recommend policy/practice initiatives; recommend appropriate disciplinary measures; recommend educational program ideas; and recommend appropriate circumstances to allow alcohol on campus including implementation ideas. October 2009 Co-Chairs Selected November/December 2009 Committee Members Selected January 2010 February st Task Force Meeting Begin collecting information Brainstorm successes and concerns Charge from the Vice Chancellor Study current campus trends/scope of the problem Collect national data Webinar: Using Data and Research in Planning March 2010 SMU Task Force presentation TCU history of prevention program TCU Alcohol & Drug Education National guidelines for effective programs and best practices April 2010 June 2010 Review collected information Task Force Consultant campus visit Consultant meets with administrators, Focus Groups Year-end reports; satisfaction surveys Task Force Consultant follow-up visit Consultant report students, faculty, and staff July/August 2010 Continue reviewing data, policies, procedures Meet with Choose Responsibility President, Barry Seaman Begin considering recommendations September 2010 October TCU Core Alcohol and Drug Survey data Parent Council Presentation and Focus Groups Formulate specific recommendations Synthesize infonnation Discuss priorities Finalize recommendations Submit report to the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs 7